Whether it’s best to book a summer holiday in advance or to wait for last minute deals depends on the individual. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of booking your summer holiday in advance.

Advantages of booking early:

1. Greater choice

If you’re planning on visiting a popular summer holiday spot, it’s best to book your flights and accommodation early as the best flights and hotels are likely to be fully booked closer to your holiday.

If you wait to book accommodation till the last minute, you may end up paying a premium for a basic hotel. If you wait to book a last minute flight, you may have to fly at an inconvenient time, such as the middle of the night.

2. You’ll be rewarded for booking early

Most airlines, hotels and tour companies offer special early bird discounts and upgrades as an incentive to book early. Many companies even offer two for one deals as an early bird incentive. If you book your holiday well in advance it’s unlikely that you’ll have to pay full price for anything.

If your still looking for summer holiday ideas, seriously consider booking a summer cruise, as cruise lines are known for offering incredible early bird discounts. In some cases you can even book a cruise for 50% of the full ticket price. Or alternatively, keep an eye out for early bird package deals as they normally offer unbeatable value.

3. It will be easier to save for your holiday

Once you’ve made the commitment of putting down a deposit and making a booking, you’ll be motivated to start saving for your holiday early. By booking early you’ll also have a clear idea of the total sum you’ll need to save for your holiday. Whereas, if you plan to book last minute you may find it difficult to save and may have to postpone your holiday as a result.

Disadvantages of booking early:

1. You may lose your deposit if you change your mind

If your circumstances change and you need to postpone or cancel your holiday, you may lose your initial deposit. If you decide to make an early booking, make sure to read the company’s cancellation clauses before you make a deposit.

2. You may miss out on last minute sales.

Many airlines, hotels and tour companies offer drastically reduced prices for those who are willing to wait and book last minute. Often these last minute sales are cheaper than early bird sales, as companies will not make any profit on empty plane seats, tour bus seats or hotel rooms and are willing to accept little profit over no profit.

Will you save money by booking your summer holiday early?

Booking a summer holiday well in advance is a smart decision as you won’t have to pay full price for accommodation, flights or tours. Yes, there is a chance that you’ll miss out an incredible last minute deal but waiting for last minute deals can be risky and if you book early you’re guaranteed your first choice of hotel, tours and airline.

So what are you waiting for? If you have you sights set on the summer holiday of a lifetime, start looking for early bird deals today!